Hennings: Farm Bill Is High Importance To Us

Conversations about the Farm Bill have been, in many ways, put on the back burner in Washington D.C.  Attention has focused more on tariffs, ag labor and immigration reform.  But Michelle Hennings, Executive Director of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers says its vital that lawmakers focus on passing an update Farm Bill as soon as possible.  She noted not only does the Farm Bill help keep the American food supply safe, it helps keep the industry viable.

"You know, right now we are currently $1.50 to $2.00 below breakeven, depending on the farm, and it's been that way for quite a few years now," she said.  "Farmers [and] farms cannot continue to endure this. We have high interest rates, fuel our crop protection inputs are high supplies, equipment, etc.  Much of the farms during this time have also sacrificed their equity in their farm to keep farming and the future is getting very uncertain for most.”

Hennings added many don’t appreciate a lack of a Farm Bill and this challenging Ag economy is raising some serious questions about the future of the Ag industry.

“What about if you have a new farmer? There's no way that they can endure this. And so that's very frustrating because we want new farmers, we want a younger generation. And when you're in this type of situation, those younger farmers aren't going to want to do that or the kids of the farms are going to go find a job elsewhere.”

Hennings added many Americans see the acres and equipment growers use, and assume they are wealthy.  She stressed that’s one of the many reasons farmers need to continue to share their story of what the farm economy and a lack of a Farm Bill means to their daily operations and everyday lives.

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